Episode 6 of 6 · History in 5

Constitution Explained: Civil Rights for All Americans

Grades 4th–6th

Government · Government — American Government · History · History — American History · Captions

About This Video

You’ve probably heard it asked before: didn't the Framers own slaves? Some did. But the Constitution they created was fundamentally opposed to slavery. How did the Framers set the stage to eliminate slavery in the future? And why couldn’t they end the practice in their own time? The answer might surprise you.

Standards Met in Ohio

  • 9-12.AG.10Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thConstitutional amendments have provided for civil rights such as suffrage for disenfranchised groups.
  • 9-12.AG.11Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thConstitutional amendments have altered provisions for the structure and functions of the federal government.
  • 9-12.AG.7Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thConstitutional government in the United States has changed over time as a result of amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court decisions, legislation and informal practices.
  • 9-12.AG.9Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thThe constitutional amendments known collectively as the Reconstruction Amendments extended new constitutional protections to African Americans, though the struggle to fully achieve equality would continue.
  • AMG.9-12.10Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thConstitutional amendments have provided for civil rights, such as suffrage, for disenfranchised groups.
  • AMG.9-12.10.aGrades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thDescribe the constitutional amendments that have provided civil rights for disenfranchised groups in the U.S.
  • AMG.9-12.11Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thConstitutional amendments have altered provisions for the structure and functions of the federal government.
  • AMG.9-12.11.aGrades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thExplain how constitutional amendments have altered the structure and function of the federal government.
  • AMG.9-12.15.aGrades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thExplain the constitutional amendments that explicitly affect marginalized groups in the United States (e.g., women’s suffrage, civil rights, voting rights).
  • AMG.9-12.15.lp.bGrades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thDefine civil rights as rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. Civil rights include the right to vote and other opportunities for civic participation.
  • AMG.9-12.7Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thConstitutional government in the United States has changed over time as a result of amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court decisions, legislation, and informal practices.
  • AMG.9-12.9Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thThe constitutional amendments, known collectively as the Reconstruction Amendments, extended new constitutional protections to African Americans, though the struggle to fully achieve equality would continue.
  • AMG.9-12.9.lp.aGrades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thAssociate specific amendments with the extension of rights to all African-Americans (Reconstruction Amendments: 13th Amendment - prohibited slavery, 14th Amendment - citizenship and protection for all persons, 15th Amendment - voting rights).
  • AMH.9-12.26.lp.dGrades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thDefine civil rights as rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. Civil rights include the right to vote and other opportunities for civic participation.
  • SS.7.9cGrades 7thIdentify examples of slavery.

Related Materials

  • Lesson Plan: "History in 5: Constitution Explained: Civil Rights for All Americans" Lesson Plan

    Lesson Plan · PDF · Grades 4th–6th

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  • "History in 5: Constitution Explained: Civil Rights for All Americans" Worksheet

    Viewing Guide · PDF · Grades 4th–6th

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